Found in Understanding: Refuge Series Book Three by Debbie Zello (14)

Chapter Fourteen

Over the next week, my new tattoo healed completely. I loved it, and it suited me perfectly. I could rest my hand on my hip knowing it was just under my clothes and feel safe. I had my place, my shelter, with me all the time.

I was getting closer and closer to third base and home with Royce. I knew he was the one and I, too, had fallen in love with him, as he told me repeatedly he was with me.

As I packed to go home for Dove’s wedding, I thought about the possibility of my own. I knew what Royce said about me being young, and I am that. He was my first love and that was young too. I had three more years of school and then maybe a masters to complete. Too many years to contemplate my love life right now.

I made dinner for Royce and myself at my humble apartment. I was lying against his chest with my feet on the couch. “I was thinking about going to see my parents this weekend. Would you like to come with me?” he said.

“You’ve never even mentioned your family. I can’t believe I’ve never asked you about them. I can’t believe I’ve been so self-absorbed. I’m so sorry. Please tell me about them,” I said, sitting up.

“I’m from a small town near Philadelphia. My dad owns a gas and oil distribution company. I have five older sisters,” he said, watching my reaction.

“Five sisters and you’re the baby?”

“I’m told they wanted a boy and once they got me, they stopped.”

“I wonder what the magic number would have been,” I asked.

“I never asked them. My sisters spoiled me rotten. I love them to death. They’re all married and I have eleven nieces and nephews.”

“What does your mom do?”

“She was home raising six kids. That was a full time job and then some. We all played sports, scouts, church stuff and music lessons. She was running someone somewhere every minute of every day. She is the best mom ever,” he said, with a far off look.

“I’d love to meet them.”

“Good, we’ll go Saturday morning and come back Sunday night. I’ll call them to let them know that we’re coming. Be prepared for a loud group of people.”

“Everyone will be there? They all live that close?”

“Within a few miles of home. I’m the only one that got away. Much to my mother’s dismay. If she had her way, we would still live home even with in-laws and kids. I think they’re getting ready to sell the big house and move to something smaller. I want to stay there one more time before it’s gone.”

“There’s no place like home. Even from across the country, I still think of the ranch as my safe place. I go there in my head when I need some peace.”

“It’s a good thing we all have a place like that.”

I worked longer on Thursday and Friday because Stacey was off on vacation. Saturday morning, we left early so we would arrive around lunchtime. Royce pulled in front of the most beautiful house I had ever seen. I knew I wasn’t a world traveler nor did I frequent rich people’s homes growing up, but this home was special.

The circular driveway had flowers growing on both sides, with the exception of the front steps. A trellis covered in roses was against the left side of the front door. A large bay window was to the right. The house was a light grey in color with a red door.

Royce held my hand as we walked up the five steps and walked in the front door. “Hey! Is anyone home?” Royce yelled.

“We’re in the family room, sweetheart!” a woman’s voice said.

“That’s my mom.” he said pulling me towards the back of the house. We walked through the kitchen and down two steps. We passed by a few more rooms with closed doors and then out to a spacious room with a stone fireplace. I saw several people sitting on couches and chairs talking amongst themselves. A handsome middle-aged man walked up to us and shook Royce’s hand vigorously.

“How are you son? It’s good to have you home,” he said smiling.

“It’s good to be home, Dad. This is Neomi. Neomi, this is my Dad.”

“I’m glad to meet you, Mr. Kane. Thank you for having me in your home,” I said, offering my hand. He pulled my hand to him and wrapped me in his arms for a hug.

“No formality here, Neomi. My name is Dad, Pops or Roy, take your pick.”

“Dad it is, then,” I said smiling. A pretty woman with blond hair and Royce’s smile walked up behind us.

“This is my mom, Janet. Mom this is Neomi, my girlfriend.” She too hugged me.

“I’m glad to finally meet you, dear. Royce told us about you and then kept you all to himself,” she said happily.

“He’s been very busy working on his dissertation,” I said, offering an explanation.

“We don’t believe that for a minute. He didn’t want to expose you to the tribe before he was ready. Isn’t that right, little brother?” a woman said from the couch.

Royce moved me forward and said, “My sisters, Rebecca, Marie, Janice, Linda, and Amanda.” He pointed as he introduced each one. “Where are the men and kids? Dad and I are horribly outnumbered as usual.”

“We left them home. We didn’t want to overwhelm Neomi the first time we met her.” I think it was Rebecca that spoke.

“Come and sit next to me Neomi. I have a lot to tell you about my favorite brother.” Rebecca took my arm to guided me to the seat next to her where she had been sitting. The look on Royce’s face was priceless. He clearly loved his sisters and they were the cross he bore at the same time. He threw his hands up and went to the kitchen with his parents.

“Royce told us you were in his class. He said he spotted you right away and couldn’t take his eyes away from you,” Linda said.

“He said you’re from California. It must be very different on the east coast. How did you like the snow?” Janice asked. My head was spinning. I couldn’t even answer one question before the next one was being asked. After a few minutes of being left alone with his sisters, Royce came back to rescue me from the Kane inquisition.

“I’m taking Neomi to show her the garden and stuff,” he said, tugging my hand out the back door, listening to the collective protests of his sisters. “Sorry about them. They’re nosey and they like to mind my business.”

“They love you.”

“Yes, they do.”

“So do I,” I whispered. He stopped walking and turned to face me.

Cupping my face in his hands, he said softly, “You love me? Did you say you loved me?”

“That’s what I said. I love you, Royce Kane,” I said sweetly.

He looked up with his eyes closed. He brought his head back down and opened his eyes to look at me. “Say it again, please.”

“I have fallen in love with you, Royce. I love you.” He lowered his head to me and kissed me with the gentlest of kisses. He let go of my face, wrapped his arms around me, and pulled me close.

“I love you so much, Firelight. You’re my world.”

We had lunch with his family and then he took me for a tour around his hometown. I saw his grammar school, middle school and high school. The field where he played soccer. His church and favorite hangout fast-food place. When we got back to his house, he brought in our overnight bags.

“Where should I put these?” he asked his mother.

“Well, your room, I guess,” she said. I felt my face blush.

“Which room for Neomi?” he said, grinning. He’s enjoying this whole conversation, the stinker.

“I didn’t want to assume, Royce,” his mother said, blushing too.

“And yet you did, assume. We don’t live together, mom. Not yet anyway,” he said smiling at me. I made sure to look down. I didn’t know why I felt so guilty. I could see ‘I’ve been to second base’ written all over my face.

We said our good-byes the next afternoon. We promised to come back before classes began. We drove away holding hands. “My family loves you. Not as much as I do, of course.”

“Of course not, that would be ridiculous. They just met me. It takes at least a week to fall in love with me,” I said, giggling.

Royce touched my cheek with his fingers. “No, it was less than a week. I’ve been in love with you from the first moment I saw you. From the first moment I thought about you.” What do you say to that? Nothing, I just couldn’t help but cry.